It’s the conclusion of another great year of the Speaking Easy Podcast, and we got into what’s become an annual tradition—having a one or two too many (which, believe it or not, is not our normal “being a better drinker” and having a conversation to ramble off our favorite episodes of the year, what we learned, and what we’re looking forward to.

This was a fun one for us to record, and it was the first time we recorded with a live audience! We had Jeff on our show the first time fairly early and he trusted us enough to a) hang out with us off the air and b) come back on the show.

Well, it must be of great surprise that we’d willingly and not compelled by a court somewhere submit ourselves to a vodka tasting, based on how we’ve typically treated vodka on this show. But when our good friend Eric Kozlik, the Chief Executive Officer and Supremely Cool Dude of the Modern Bar Cart, invites us along for a tasting of vodkas of strange origins, we’re at least game to play nicely for a little bit.

We’re turning 100! No, that’s not about our age, but this is the Speaking Easy Podcast’s 100th episode! We’re so glad to have made it here, so we are celebrating—with dessert! Dessert cocktails can be a great punctuation to a great meal or a momentous occasion.

Amaretto is a sweet, almond-flavored, Italian liqueur associated with Saronno, Italy (thus the name for one of the most popular brands, Disaronno). Most well-known versions are made from almonds but some are made from a base of apricot pits. The name comes from the Italian “amaro” (which is also a liqueur) meaning “bitter,” thus, amaretto is a “little bitter.” And for any chemists reading this, yes, the cyanide is processed out of the almond prior to being included in the liqueur.

While we don’t always suggest mixing caffeine and alcohol (Red Bull & Vodka is on the permanent “no way” list), coffee offers an intriguing flavor partner to many drinks. From vermouth to Amari, to all sorts of brown liquors, there’s a lot to offer.

While a slushie machine is *probably* impractical for the home bartender, frozen drinks are fantastic for hot summer days. The great thing about Frozen cocktails for the home bartender is that you can experiment/hide mistakes easily.